Real estate lawyers in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

We advise on all aspects of real estate — acquisition, development, leasing, and finance — with precision and commercial awareness.

Real estate counsel for UAE developers, owners, investors and occupiers, across acquisition, leasing, development and dispute.

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Our team brings specialist experience across the following areas:
  • Sale, purchase and off-plan acquisition
  • Commercial leasing and tenancy disputes
  • Real estate development structuring
  • Joint ventures and co-investment in real estate
  • Owners' associations and jointly owned property
  • RERA and Dubai Land Department matters
  • Property and title disputes
  • Mortgage, finance and security over real estate
  • Cross-border real estate investment by UAE family offices
  • Real estate matters turn on what was registered and when. We act for developers, investors, buyers, landlords and tenants on property transactions and disputes across Dubai and the wider UAE, from acquisition and off-plan purchase to service-charge and rental disputes. The work covers freehold, leasehold and jointly owned property.

    The register controls the right. An off-plan purchase that was never registered, a title that was never transferred, a lease that was never recorded: each leaves the party that relied on it exposed. Most real estate disputes come down to a registration step that was taken late or skipped, and real estate lawyers in Dubai work from the register first and the contract second.

    Transactions

    We advise on sale and purchase, title transfer through the Dubai Land Department, off-plan purchase and Oqood registration, and the escrow protections that apply to developers under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007. Due diligence before the transaction closes is where the risk in a property deal is found and priced.

    Disputes

    We act on off-plan delays and cancellations, developer and investor claims, service-charge disputes and matters governed by the jointly owned property regime under Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019. These disputes are decided on the contract, the registration record and the regulator's position, and the case is built from those documents.

    Landlord and tenant

    We act for landlords and tenants on rental disputes, eviction notices and rent-increase questions, including matters before the Rental Disputes Centre and the rent-cap rules under Dubai Decree No. 26 of 2013. The notice that was served, and whether it was served correctly, decides most tenancy outcomes.

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    Souhad Al Ghorayeb
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    Frequently asked questions

    What should I check before buying property in Dubai?

    Confirm the title, the seller's right to sell, any mortgage or service-charge arrears, and that the transfer will register with the Dubai Land Department. As the Dubai property law guide sets out, the register controls the right, so due diligence before closing is where the risk is found and priced.

    Who governs service charge disputes in Dubai?

    Service charges for jointly owned property fall under Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019 and are overseen by RERA through the Mollak system. A dispute turns on the approved budget and the owners' association records, so those documents are where a challenge is built.

    Can a landlord evict a tenant to sell the property in Dubai?

    Yes, but only with twelve months' notarised or registered notice, and the right cannot be used as a pretext for an unlawful rent increase. If the landlord re-lets rather than selling within the restricted period, the former tenant may claim compensation through the Rental Disputes Centre.

    What protections apply to off-plan buyers in Dubai?

    Developers must hold buyer payments in a regulated escrow account under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, and off-plan sales are recorded through Oqood registration. These protections help the buyer who checked, so verify the developer is registered before paying.

    What happens if an off-plan project is delayed or cancelled in Dubai?

    It depends on the cause and the developer's compliance with escrow rules. Where an off-plan project is cancelled, RERA escrow and developer obligations govern the position of buyers and the escrow account. Buyers' rights turn on what was registered and paid.

    Where do I file a rental dispute in Dubai?

    Rental disputes in Dubai go to the Rental Disputes Centre, the dedicated tribunal for landlord and tenant matters. The case turns on the tenancy contract, the Ejari registration, and whether the required notices were served correctly.

    How much notice is needed to evict a tenant in Dubai?

    For eviction on grounds such as sale, owner use, or major works, the landlord must give twelve months' notice through a notary public or registered mail. Landlord and tenant rights under RERA mean notice by email or hand delivery does not meet the standard, and a defective notice will not support an eviction.

    How much can a landlord increase rent in Dubai?

    The cap is set by Dubai Decree No. 43 of 2013 and depends on how far the current rent sits below the RERA rental index for similar properties, one of several UAE real estate rules that protect tenants. If the rent is within 10% of the market figure, no increase is allowed. The permitted increase then rises in bands up to 20%.

    4,500+ matters handled

    Here when it matters

    Whether you're closing a deal, need ongoing legal support, or facing a dispute, we move fast, think clearly, and act in your best interest.
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